Piastri assesses 'surprise' Qualifying result in Baku

Oscar Piastri delivered a surprising performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session, securing a third-place start after McLaren showed unexpected pace improvement. Despite struggling during practice, Piastri and teammate Lando Norris briefly topped the timing screens in Q3, with Piastri finishing just milliseconds away from the front row. The Australian remains cautiously optimistic about his podium chances, noting that the team's race pace appears strong. Conversely, Lando Norris was left frustrated by a fifth-place qualification after a mistake on his final attempt. The reigning champion acknowledged his strong driving throughout the weekend but noted that persistent issues with the car's balance are limiting his performance. Despite the car's current deficits, Norris remains focused on the challenges of the upcoming race.